POST №4. General geo-economical regions, rivers, agriculture and economy, and other stuff. Part 1, Northern Stormlands (A1 and A2)
After many thoughts and some discussions, here is a map of economical regions with descriptions, that I would like to suggest. See this as continuation of my previous posts. I DO NOT suggest making things exactly as I write and draw, see this as general conceptions composed of ideas, that should be considered as separately as possible, rejected or approved with respect to canon, realisticity and general cohesiveness. General idea of all this is to make a cohesive geo-economical system, while project-leaders can use it to decide what to build in their respective projects in rescpetive regions. As Tarth and Estermont are separated landmasses, their aspects are easier to discuss and determine, as they won't directly affect any neighbouring regions, because the have none of such. Following suggestions are for Stormlands mainland.
On the map, regions are shown by bright outlines; rivercourses, both existent and suggested, are in blue; (not all) roads and towns (and town-like settlements) are in pink and purple; red rising diagonals are for mountains, green rising diagonals for forested uplands and green falling diagonals for forests of Kingswood and Rainwood (the map doesn't show all the forests, as they should be determined at local scale). All the things are just approximations.
Despite being relatively small region, Stormlands nevertheless are quite geographically diversed, mainly due to abundance of various natural features, like mountains, that divide it. Generally speaking, Stormlands aren't the most economically powerful realm, nevertheless, they are strongly self-sustainable, as they existed as indepentent kingdom for centuries. Now, to the descriptions of each region, using scheme: general information/natural features/agriculture/trade and industry.
Region A - Northern Stormlands. As I suggested before, this region historically served as the socio-economic powerbase of Durrandons/Baratheons and their immediate vassals, altogether constituing the force that kept Stormlands united. This region is effectively divided into two by central forested uplands (passage through which is guarded by Bronzegate), with smaller southern part heavily affected by storms and heavy rains from Shipbreaker bay, from which bigger northern part is lagrely protected by said uplands.
Southern part, region A1. This region truly can be called the core of the core, THE storm's land, that gave the name to the whole Stormlands. Because of geographical location, landscape and climate, this part in my opinion is mostly similar to Atlantic coasts of Scotland and Ireland, with heavy rainfall and frequent storms.
As such, agriculture and economy are somewhat similar too. The main grain crops grown here are oat and barley, especially oat, as both are quite lenient crops, especially fitting for wet and not very fertile soils. Other crops, like wheat and rye, are grown in smaller scale, as both need drier conditions. Animal husbandry is quite prospering here, first of all, of cattle and sheep, because of abundance of moist grasslands for grazing, especially close to coast, where regular storms prevent growth of dense forests and hinder field farming. Pigs are also kept in more inland settlements. Also, few fishing settlements exist on the dangerous coast, catching not only fish, but occasionally sea amber from Rainwood as well, thrown onto coast by tides and storms.
This subregion has only two settlements that can be called towns, both only suggested by me in previous posts: Durrangard and Connington, serving as centres of trade and crafts. Despite being not very fertile land for agriculture, this subregion is nevertheless quite populated, because of two geostrategical aspects: 1. general safety from incursions from Reach and Dorne, because of remoteness and natural barriers of mountains and uplands, as well from sea, because of generally unpleasant shores: 2. medial position in Stormlands, controlling inland trade routes. Also, lands are secured and favoured politically, as being the domain of the Stormlands' rulers. Durrangard is the biggest city in all Northern Stormlands, serving as general centre of commerce and various crafts, with any particularly prospering industries open to be determined. Two industries in this subregion are logically derived from agriculture here: leatherwroking and wool-spinning for making cloth. But wool also can be exported to craftsmen, spinners, in KL, like it was done in Middle Ages from England to Flanders.
Northern part, region A2. This is far more calm lands, effectively part of Central Westeros plain, through being somewhat an isolated offshot of it.
Most of it belongs to the basin of Wendwater. As part of unfinished Felwood, some interesting upper parts were made, through unfinished. On the map you can see my rough suggestions for realistically enlargened basin of Wendwater, the river with its confluents, courses painted on current Wendwater, unfinished upper parts in Felwood lands, as well as my suggestions. Starting as smaller streams, Wendwater and its confluents are originating in broader area from forested uplands on the border with the Reach, from northernmost slopes of Red mountains and from central uplands of Northern Stormlands, gradually absorbing brooks here and there and merging into a bigger river. Wendwater with confluents serves as one of principal ways of transportation in these lands.
This subregion, being mostly a hilly plain, with adequate precipation and temperature, is the main grain producing place in Northern Stormlands, and, perhaps, in whole Stormlands, in combined output. Full variety of grain crops is grown here, mostly wheat and rye. Names of Haystack and Felwood suggest that these lands are quite cleared and cultivated. With abundance of fodder, animal husbandry is also prospering here, mostly of cattle and swine. The name of the Parchments suggests that leatherworking is a prospering craft here. Part of old forest, Crownlands' part of which became Kingswood, still covers the northern part of Stormlands with other forests located here and there, just like nearly everywhere else in Stormlands, especially on the uplands and foothills of mountains, offers great hunting grounds, as the name of Fawnton implies as well.
Beside quite a lot of hamlets and villages, few town-like settlements are located in this subregion as well. The main factor for growth of them was generally peacefull time of Targaryens reign, that fostered trade between previously rival realms, while creating new trade routes as well. As such, suggested by me in previous posts, Robertsbridge, the town located by the bridge on Kingsroad and having a river-port on Wendwater, appeared and grew just as the King's Landing and Kingsroad apperead and grew themselfs, while I suggest that Fawnton, located on old road to the Reach, grew due to intensified trade with this realm (the recent (during last 300 years) growth of prosperity of towns and lands of various vassal lords of Baratheons aligns well with the fact that many of them revolted against Robert in the Rebellion, as their powerbases grew enough for showing such disobedience). Agricultual goods, first of all, surplus of wheat and rye, are exported both to southern part of Northern Stormlands, as well as to King's Landing by Wendwater. Also, some metals and minerals, mined and smelted on the northern side of Red mountains, are exported by Wendwater to craftsmen in KL, as well as some other goods possible.
Speaking of Northern Stormlands region in general (A1 and A2), beside grains and common vegetables, some other crops are grown. Fruits here are generally Middle European, such as apples, pears, plums and berries. That means, that some cideries can exist too, especially in A2. Also, in both subregions conditions are fitting for large-scale growing of hop, so beer breweries can be quite widespread, with beer serving as characteristic replacement for wine in Stormlands.
Also, both subregions are fitting for large-scale growth of hemp, especially A2, so the neat new blocks can be utilisied too and production of hemp textiles, ropes and nets can be important industry here.
Also, there must be 2-3 quarries in Northern Stormlands, both for production of stone and lime as well (I suppose, geologically Northern Stormlands are composed mainly of sedimentary stones, like limestone. That also aligns with description of cliffs near Storm's End). Also, because of abundance of forests here and there, especially in uplands, there should be quite some logging camps with sawmills in settlements.
Other regions are on the way, I'm continuing right now...
